Former NBA Star, Derek Anderson, is one of 13 players who've won an NBA Championship - he did that in 2006 with the Miami Heat, and an NCAA Championship – he did that in 1996 with the Kentucky Wildcats – and along the line, he also won a high school championship
And he's in Belize tonight – not to talk basketball – but to inspire.
You see, Anderson's story is familiar: he grew up poor, with parents who left him to the streets, and he had to create all the opportunities he received by showing that he is a capable, hard worker.
He's written a book about his story, called "Stamina", and it is the focus of his motivational speaking career. At the invitation of the US Embassy, he's in Belize to speak to the public about how to emulate his success, despite life's challenges.
He was at the University of Belize today, where he gave the students he gave a 2 and a half hour talk, and afterwards, he gave us an interview on his policy of personal accountability:
Derek Anderson - Motivational Speaker
"It stems from surviving through anything, I've come from homelessness to not having parents in my life for 30 years and I still wound up being a millionaire and having good jobs and giving back to people. It's all about your character and your attitude, so it's basically about surviving anything and to be better."
Daniel Ortiz
"I understand that one of your ideas, your motivational speeches is about telling people that you must have personal accountability."
Derek Anderson
"Yes you can't blame anything on anyone, I had no parents - I could have easily been on the streets but that's not where a grown man goes. We go to find success, we get a job, we get a trade and we survive and take care of our families - that's what a real man does. I just wanted these people to know that no matter what you're going through - change your life, do better than you've been doing. That's how I get better everyday when I wake up and that's the only reason I wake up."
And while that's what he told us, he spoke extensively on that personal accountability, and here's a small excerpt of his presentation:
Derek Anderson
"The only reason you haven't made it is because you don't want to make it. If you have the energy and strength to do that I've got - you can do anything you want in your life, anything. It is about making decisions, not excuses."
Anderson will make an appearance at National Youth Cadet Service Corps and Princess Royal Youth Hostel. And in the afternoon, he'll give another presentation at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City.
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